At an early age, we all learn the basic economic meaning of both supply and demand. In Major League Baseball, supply and demand get magnified during July. An expanded postseason field complicates things a bit, but one thing seems apparent this trade deadline: the supply simply does not match the demand.
This is especially true for teams in need of starting pitching, an area that GM Alex Anthopoulos hopes to upgrade in Atlanta. However, the competition to acquire rotation help will be fierce. Tim Britton of The Athletic recently detailed all potential suitors, and to call the list extensive would be a bit of an undersell.
What are the Braves targeting at the Trade Deadline?@MrChadBishop joins MLB Now with insight into their needs. pic.twitter.com/2nsWTcX5pv
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Long list of teams in need of rotation help could spell trouble for the Braves
Beyond Chris Sale, the Braves' rotation is in real need of some juice. Atlanta clearly has postseason aspirations, but as currently constructed, no pitcher on the roster could take the ball in game two of a playoff series and give fans a sense of security.
Names like AJ Smith-Shawver, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Bryce Elder could theoretically be viable options in a playoff start, but there is no guarantee any will be healthy and effective come October. This is why an emphasis has been placed on acquiring rotation help at the deadline. Atlanta has the money and the farm system to get a deal done, so not many excuses exist for Alex Anthopoulos.
The only defensible scenario that could happen is if Anthopoulos gets outbid; judging by the number of "buying" teams, it very well could happen. Britton mentioned the Cubs, White Sox, Diamondbacks, Padres, Astros, Orioles, and Cardinals all as teams in need of starting pitching this deadline. Including the Braves, that is eight potential buyers, and truthfully there may not be eight starting pitchers that get moved at the deadline.
The jumbled up American League wild card hunt brings the Orioles and Astros into the mix as potential buyers. Meanwhile, the Phillies post-All-Star break slump has brought a few National League teams back into contention for the NL's final wild card spot. Because of this glut of pitching needy teams, the Braves may be forced to overpay if they want to walk away with a quality starting pitcher.
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